What is the Story Behind Charleston Green? - Page 2
Our fair and Holy City of Charleston, South Carolina, is painted with dabs and dots of a single signature color, which is commonly referred to as Charleston Green. It's a color that could dress up the shabbiest Charleston single house, and aggrandize the smallest freedman's cottage.
A green so dark it appears black, it lends an air of subtle chameleon mystery to streets with light streaming through moss draped trees. The color changes as you move and elevates what might have been a simple flat black to a rich and dignified tone.
The History Behind Charleston Green
Charleston Green lends a formal sensibility, but the purported history is more rebellious. The origin of the color is contested, but the story goes that after the American Civil War, the Union sent buckets of plain black government-issued paint down to Charleston to gloss over what war had done to the city. But Charlestonians, less than impressed with boring black, added yellow and blue (or green, depending on the source) to make the deep forest green now named for the city where it originated.
How to Use Charleston Green on Your Home
If you're strolling Downtown Charleston on the brick, pavement, or cobblestone streets, you'll notice the hue applied to front doors, window shutters, Italianate trim and even balustrades. There's no right or wrong way to use Charleston Green, but do remember that direct sunlight will heat the dark color and could cause it to bubble, or even be hot to the touch—a danger those moss draped trees can alleviate, since the Charleston housing market is quite hot enough on its own.
This deepest-deep green hue can be used in a variety of different exterior color schemes. The most classic is off-white with Charleston Green shutters and doors. Green shutters can compliment a lighter green home, a yellow home, or even a pink one.
If you'd like to add a touch of black-tie class, but don't want to darken your overall palette, try painting just the front door, or brushing the window sashes with Charleston Green while the casing remains white. Some homes paint only their front steps in the color. Window boxes are a nice place to add a deep green to bring out the green leaves and flowers and provide a visual anchor to the shape of the windows. Think of them as the strong brows on the face of your home.
You can also pull the color inside by using it on an interior staircase or in a study. Give a high-style makeover to a small half bath with a stunning high gloss enamel finish or treat a mantle to a stroke of dark green.
While the color chip is readily available from Historic Charleston Foundation's collection at your nearest Sherwin-Williams, you could also mix your own using a local recipe:
DIY: Charleston Green Recipe
10 ounces black paint
4 ounces green paint
½ ounce yellow paint
Now that you know what to look for, the next time you're walking South of Broad , you'll more easily spot the difference between a true black hue and the trademark tint that we call Charleston Green.
Looking for something different? See below for current listings downtown Charleston!
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37 Smith Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 24008804 / Active
Located in the desirable Harleston Village area, this historic Charleston single provides an excellent opportunity for the discerning buyer. The pr...
14 Lockwood Drive UNIT 5 K
Charleston, SC 29401
Ashley House
Residential
MLS# 24008753 / Active
Beautifully renovated condominium in the Ashley House. Panoramic views of the Ashley River and Marina. Western exposure with beautiful sunsets. Wal...
14 Lockwood Drive UNIT 10f
Charleston, SC 29401
Ashley House
Residential
MLS# 24008686 / Active
Enjoy the glorious sunset views overlooking the Ashley River and marina from this 10th floor condo in The Ashley House! Remodeled kitchen with open...
609 King Street UNIT #640
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough-Elliotborough
Residential
MLS# 24008527 / Active
Coming in 2026! The Peninsula of Charleston is an ownership-model, continuing care retirement community (CCRC) on highly desirable upper King Stree...
5 Alexander Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Ansonborough
Residential
MLS# 24008446 / Active
Fully Renovated 2021-2023 & NO FLOODING. The c.1811 Chancognie property at 5 & 5 1/2 Alexander Street offers a prime location with the perfect bala...
14 Lockwood Drive UNIT 3b
Charleston, SC 29401
Ashley House
Residential
MLS# 24008389 / Active
Prepare to be mesmerized by the panoramic views of the Charleston skyline and the serene expanse of Lake Alberta, while enjoying the outdoor privat...
8 Smith Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 24008237 / Active
Located in the heart of Harleston Village, this charming home offers an inviting escape in the heart of the city with a 3 bedroom/4 bath main house...
22 Lamboll Street UNIT C
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 24008225 / Active Contingent
This immaculate and original 1820 kitchen house boasts authenticity and location. Located South of Broad, yet tucked away, this property has both o...
10 Rose Lane
Charleston, SC 29403
Residential
MLS# 24008180 / Active
A great opportunity to own a piece of Downtown Charleston inside the crosstown! Situated in the STR Overlay this property has two dwellings totalin...
Reduced -$25,000
33 Calhoun Street UNIT #235
Charleston, SC 29401
Gadsdenboro
Residential
MLS# 24008140 / Active
Overlooking Gadsdenboro Park with views of Charleston Harbor to the East and sunsets beyond a gentle cityscape to the West, there exists an excepti...
175 Concord Street UNIT #304
Charleston, SC 29401
French Quarter
Residential
MLS# 24008242 / Active
Premier French Quarter location in the heart of Downtown Charleston, just across the street from the new Cooper Hotel. The living room opens up to ...
107 King Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 24008054 / Active Contingent
Bright colors and bold designs transport you into an historic yet modern pied-a-terre in the heart of downtown Charleston. This 1786 carriage house...
284 Meeting Street UNIT #203
Charleston, SC 29401
Ansonborough
Residential
MLS# 24008025 / Active
Nestled within the heart of downtown Charleston's historic district, this exclusive new construction project introduces six meticulously crafted lu...
284 Meeting Street UNIT #301
Charleston, SC 29401
Ansonborough
Residential
MLS# 24008026 / Active
Nestled within the heart of downtown Charleston's historic district, this exclusive new construction project introduces six meticulously crafted lu...
284 Meeting Street UNIT #201
Charleston, SC 29401
Ansonborough
Residential
MLS# 24008022 / Active
Nestled within the heart of downtown Charleston's historic district, this exclusive new construction project introduces six meticulously crafted lu...
284 Meeting Street UNIT #303
Charleston, SC 29401
Ansonborough
Residential
MLS# 24008028 / Active Contingent
Nestled within the heart of downtown Charleston's historic district, this exclusive new construction project introduces six meticulously crafted lu...
284 Meeting Street UNIT #302
Charleston, SC 29401
Ansonborough
Residential
MLS# 24008027 / Active Contingent
Nestled within the heart of downtown Charleston's historic district, this exclusive new construction project introduces six meticulously crafted lu...
284 Meeting Street UNIT #202
Charleston, SC 29401
Ansonborough
Residential
MLS# 24008024 / Active
Nestled within the heart of downtown Charleston's historic district, this exclusive new construction project introduces six meticulously crafted lu...
14 Lockwood Drive UNIT 10c
Charleston, SC 29401
Ashley House
Residential
MLS# 24007913 / Active
Come home to the unmatched views of The Ashley House, Charleston's best condo value! Across the street from the City Marina, and walking distance t...
Increase +$160,000
14 Lockwood Drive UNIT 11a
Charleston, SC 29401
Ashley House
Residential
MLS# 24007905 / Active
Come home to the unmatched views of The Ashley House, Charleston's best condo value! Across the street from the City Marina, and walking distance t...
Reduced -$85,000
2 Exchange Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 24007814 / Active Contingent
Experience the pinnacle of luxury living in historic Charleston with this exceptional fee-simple townhome. Crafted by renowned experts including th...
Increase +$250,000
The data relating to real estate for sale on this web site comes in part from the Broker ReciprocitySM Program of the Charleston Trident Multiple Listing Service. Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Marshall Walker Real Estate are marked with the Broker ReciprocitySM logo or the Broker ReciprocitySM thumbnail logo (a little black house) and detailed information about them includes the name of the listing brokers. Last updated on 04-23-2024 5:09 PM EST .
The broker providing these data believes them to be correct, but advises interested parties to confirm them before relying on them in a purchase decision.
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